US2673712A - Portable hole digger - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1954 e. H. LOOCK PORTABLE HOLE BIGGER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1950 INVENTOR (72-2441 H. 100cm ATTORNEY March 30, 1954 G. H. LOOCK PORTABLE HOLE BIGGER 3 Shams-Sheet 2 Filed July 26, 1950 QN Q LN I INVENTOR GEEAAD 400014.

ATTORNEY March 30, 1954 e. H. LOOCK PORTABLE HOLE BIGGER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 26, 1950 w 7 m m. 4 .ml 8 v. v w a x 7 a m a a w k 8 3 w m a 4 w a a W a a 5i A 5 h l IIHH1JIIHHIIU. 3 1 my e a 5 w a w x4 L; w. m =1. FE 6 L 4 E 4 5 H 2 n a e I M V x g X INVENTOR 622,440 A. aocz ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE HOLE DIGGER Gerald H. Loock, Blythe, Calif.

Application July 26, 1950, Serial No. 175,997

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a portable hole digger and has for an object to provide an improved portable hole digger which utilizes a comparatively simple gearing whereby it can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable hole digger which is comparatively small and capable of being transported by any small truck or jeep, yet is capable of doing the same work as larger machines but at a considerably lower cost per hole, yet with just as great rapidity.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable hole digger which may be powered by a conventional automobile engine and transmission whereby the digging orbit may be reversed if necessary so that it may be turned backward to screw itself out of the hole should it become stuck therein.

While there are many existing disclosures of portable hole diggers, such as in Patents Nos. 1,397,324, 1,643,549, 2,901,502, 2,255,241, 2,348,024, 2,410,959, this invention is an improvement thereover in simplicity of details of construction and operation, and providing a portable hole digger capable of performing allthe functions of the larger machine at a lesser initial and lesser upkee cost.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable hole digger which is more compact than previous machines for the same purpose.

A further object of this invention is to provide a small, compact hole digger which may be transported into out-of-the-way locations and which may dig the desired hole either absolutely vertically or at a desired angle irrespective of whether the ground surface is level or somewhat angular or hilly.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, as will hereinafter become apparent, this inven'- tion provides the constructions, combinationsand arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth, claimed and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side plan view of the portable digger of this invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1.

Fi 3 is a r'ear'end view o fFig. 2 on a larger scale. 1

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the power connection to the digging shaft.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the digging'shaft and power hub.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail of the top of thedigging shaft and housing.

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Fig. 7 is a view at right angles to Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a rear-end view of Fig. 1 showing the angular adjustability.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a housing structure showing means mounted thereon for angularly adjusting the digging shaft.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational detail illustrating one of the journal pins and the bearing means therefor.

There is shown at [0 a trailer truck frame or vehicle frame on which this invention is mounted. This frame ll] includes a pair of chassis members H and I2 mounted for transportation on rear wheels l3 and a caster front wheel l4 secured to a trailer hitch I5. The front wheel I4 and trailer hitch l5 would be omitted if the chassis members H and I2 were part of a small truck. Supported on the bed It of the trailer or truck frame In is an automobile engine provided with the conventional three-speed forward and one-speed reversed gear transmission It, with its usual controls (not shown) and gear shift lever 20.

Extending from the transmission [8 is the main drive shaft 2| whose speed and power are provided from the motor through the transmission l8. The shaft 2| is journaled through a ball bearing 22 mounted on a cross-frame member 23 of the vehicle body. A sprocket gear 24 on the shaft 2| drives a roller chain 25 which in turn drives a sprocket gear 26 on a stub shaft 2'! which extends through pillow block bearings 28 mounted on a crossbar 30 supported on uprights 32 between the cross-frame member 23 and a second cross-frame, 3|, the roller chain '25 extending at approximately 45 degrees.

Secured to the rear end of the shaft 2; is a universal joint 33 which connects to a squared shaft 34 which telescopes into a squared sleeve 35 which in turn isprovided with a universal joint 36 connecting it to a stub shaft 3'1. The stub shaft'31 extends through a grease seal 38 in a gear housing 4!], a pinion gear 4| being secured on the end of shaft 31 in mesh with a ring gear 42, the ring gear 42 being fixed on one end of a shaft 43 which extends across the frame and at its other end is journaled in a bearing 44 mounted on an upright 45 whose lower end is secured on a collar 46.

Floating on the shaft 43 is a short housing section 41 keyed as at, 48 for rotation therewith and provided at its ends with cone clutch faces 51! and 5| arranged to slide into engagement with the clutch socket 52 or 53. The clutch socket 52 is jou'rnale'dfreely on the shaft 43 and is provided with a" sprocket 54 connected by a 3. sprocket chain 55 to a sprocket 56 on one end of a short shaft 51 journaled in bearings 58 on a pillow block 66 supported on a housing 6|, the upright 45 and its collar 46 being likewise supported about housing 9|. The other end of the short shaft 51 has a gear 62 affixed thereto, which gear 62 meshes with a large gear 63 secured to clutch socket 53. Pivoted in a socket 64 on the pillow block 60 is a clutch lever 65 which cooperates with the short housing section 41 for sliding it back and forth and thus engaging either the clutch cone face 56 with the clutch socket 52 or the clutch cone face 5I with the clutch socket 513. Thus manipulation of the clutch lever 65 in one direction or the other will cause gear 63 to rotate directly with and in the same direction as shaft 43 when clutch socket 53 is engaged by clutch cone face 5| and to rotate in the opposite direction when clutch socket 52 is engaged by clutch cone face 59, only one pair of clutch sockets and clutch cone faces being engaged while the other pair are simultaneously disengaged. In the middle neutral position neither clutch is engaged. The ring gear 63 is fixed on a housing 66 which floats on roller bearings 61 on the shaft 43. Also fixed on the housing 66 is a sprocket 69 engaged by a roller chain I0.

The roller chain I serves to raise or lower the digging shaft H by means that will be hereinafter described. While only one pair of clutch cones and clutch sockets may be engaged at atime, it will be apparent that the clutch lever 65 may be shifted to a middle position, thus holding both clutch cone faces and sockets simultaneously disengaged. In order to controllably rotate the digging shaft II, there is provided a hub I2 having a key which slidably engages a longitudinal key slot I3 in the digging shaft "II. This hub I2 is fixedly mounted on a ring gear I4 in mesh with the pinion gear I5 on the end of a stub shaft I6 extending through a roller bearing 'I! mounted in the end of a gear and hub housing portion I8 of housing 6|, this gear and hub housing I8 also providing supporting means for roller bearings 39 and 8! through which the digger shaft 'II both rotates and slides. The stub shaft I6 is connected by universal joint 82 to a squared shaft 83 which telescopes into a squared sleeve 84 whose other end is connected by universal joint 85 to a stub shaft SE1 journaled in a bearing 8! on the cross-frame member 3 I.

The stub shaft 86 is powered by a disc type clutch 88 connecting it to the motor shaft 2| by means of the clutch yoke 90 extending through an eye support 9| mounted on the cross-frame member 3i The other end of the clutch yoke 90 is linked by a connecting rod 92 to a bellcrank 93 pivoted at 94 on a frame section 95 and having its other end pivoted at 96 to a hand lever 91 extending through fastening 98 mounted on the chassis frame member I2. Manipulation of the hand lever 9! through its bellcrank, connecting link and clutch yoke will cause the disc type clutch B2 to engage or disengage the power shaft 2! through the stub shaft 86 to thus rotate the stub shaft I6 and through pinion gear I5, ring gear I4 and hub I2 to rotate the digging shaft I I.

By proper manipulation of the motor controls and of the gear shift 20 the digging shaft H can be caused to operate in first, second or third speed to thus cause the auger I 00 to rotate at the desired speed, the auger I00 being suitably secured as by a pin IOI on the bottom of the digging shaft H and is provided with a lead screw I02. The first speed gear will be used when the ground is very hard. second speed gear will be used in average ground for most digging, while third speed gear may be used when the ground is very soft. Should the auger get stuck in the hole and be unable to advance, then the reverse gear may be used to cause it to climb out of the hole, thus freeing the auger.

As above pointed out, the sprocket 68 and roller chain I0 are used for raising or lowering the digging shaft 'II. The digging shaft II is surrounded by a housing I03 whose lower end rests in a counterbore I04 extending upwardly from the housing I8, which provides a collar for securing the housing I03 thereto, the counterbore I04 being split at I05 and provided with fastening bolts I06. The housing I03 is open on one side at I01 to permit the return end I 08 of roller chain I0 to extend therethrough. The upper end of digger shaft II is machined to a cone shape at H0 similar to an automobile front wheel spindle to fit to bearings III and H2. The extreme upper end of the shaft II is threaded to receive a nut I I3 to secure a collar I I4 which fits around the roller bearings III and H2 and lets the shaft turn therein. A yoke I I5 welded to the end of collar I I4 provides the means for securing the end of chain I0 thereto at I I6, while a U-link II'I provides the means for securing the end of chain section I08 thereto.

The chain section I0 passes over a sprocket I I8 supported on a shaft I20 having its ends journaled in bearings I2I adjustably secured by stud bolts I22 through a U-plate I23 at the top of housing I03. The bolts I22 thus serve for taking up any slack that may develop in the chain 10 I08. As will be apparent, rotation of the sprocket 68 in one direction will raise the digging shaft ll, while rotation in the other direction will force it downwardly into the ground, but positioning the clutch lever 65 in the middle or neutral position detaches the shaft II from either raising or lowering power and instead lets it dig into the ground under its own weight and the pulling power of the auger I00 and its lead screw I02. The housing 6| which extends from the gear housing I8 acts as a pivoting center for the digging shaft and its associated parts in fore and aft direction.

A stanchion I24 welded to the top of housing 65 is bolted to the gear housing 40, thus supporting the shaft 43 and its associated parts for rotation about the housing 6I as an axis. Extending from the collar 46 is a pin I25 which is journaled in bearings I26 secured on the end of chassis frame I2. One end of said pin I 25 is welded to collar 46. On the other end of housing SI there is rotatably mounted a collar I21 which has a pair of extending bifurcated fingers I28 on opposite sides of a threaded screw I 30 welded to the collar I21, a nut I3I on the threaded screw I30 having wings I32 extending through apertures I28a and I262) in the bifurcated fingers I28. The collar I2! rides up and down in a vertical slot I33 in one side of a box member I34, the threaded screw I36 providing the fourth side of the box. The box I34 is secured by means of a connection I35 to the chassis frame member II. The threaded screw I30 is provided with washers I31 welded thereto at each end thereof, thus journaling the screw in the arms of the box member I34 and preventing it from traveling up or down. The top end of the screw I30 is squared as at I38 for cooperation with a hand crank I 40 removably placed thereon for rotating the screw 30 causing the nut I3I to travel up or down and thus pivoting the housing SI and all its related parts about the pin I25 as an axis, thus permitting the digging shaft II to be adjusted to any desired transverse angle, as shown at H and 'II" in Fig. 8.

In order to control the fore and aft angle, as shown at I03 and I03 in Fig. l, the housing I03 and its digger shaft II is pivoted within the collars 48 and I21. To control this, a boss I M is welded to the side of the housing I03, and is provided with a pivot I42 to which one end of a double threaded shaft I43 is secured. The other end of the shaft I43 extends through a wing nut I45 journaled on the end of a house sleeve I46 whose other end is pivoted (not shown) to the chassis frame. The wing nut I45 is provided with wings I4I possibly six or eight inches in length for easy manual manipulation. Rotation of the wing nut I45 allows the digging shaft H to pivot fore or aft as shown in Fig. l, as the housing I03 may be moved to any desired position, such as I03 or I03". The housing I03 may be manipulated from between an almost horizontal position to an absolutely upright position or extended beyond the position shown at I03.

In operation proper manipulation of the wing nut I45 and of the thread screw I30 by means of a hand crank I40, enables the digging shaft housing I03 and digging shaft II and auger I to be universally adjusted to any desired angle within reasonable limits, thus permitting a hole to be dug at any desired angle as well as permitting a hole to be dug that is absolutely vertical even though the vehicle wheels I3 and I4 are unevenly supported on an uneven ground surface.

To cause digging to take place the digger housing I 03 is manipulated to the proper angle after the vehicle has been brought to the desired loca tion. Then the motor I! is operated to provide power and the hand lever 55 is caused to operate the clutch 52-53 so as to cause the chain I0 to lower the upper end of digger shaft II until the lead screw I02 is in'contact with the ground where the hole is to be dug, the lever 65 then being kept in clutched position so as to force the auger I00 into the ground. Then, with the proper transmission gear engaged by means of gear shift lever 20, lever 01 is manipulated to operate the disc type clutch 88 and transmit power from the power shaft 2I to the stub shaft I6 and thus through hub I2 to rotate the digger shaft Ii, auger I00 and lead screw I02 at the desired rate of speed according to the nature of the ground. When the auger has advanced into the ground a sufficient distance, the hole may be cleared of dirt by manipulating the hand lever 65 to the position for causing the chain I0 to raise the digging shaft I I, thus withdrawing the auger and dirt supported thereon. If desired, the rotation of the auger may be stopped while it is being raised to just about the top of the ground, whereupon it may be rotated in any speed and centrifugal force would clear it of dirt; then it may be dropped into the ground again and further digging may take place. Should the auger get stuck in the ground, or should it have been allowed to dig so far that it cannot raise the load of dirt above it, gear shift lever 20 may be shifted into reverse gear allowing the auger to dig itself partly or completely out of the hole as may be desired. By using the conventional automatic vacuum spark control on the distributor of the motor H, the spark will advance and retard according to the load the motor is pulling. A vacuum governor may be used to control the gas feed. such as are conventional on the 1928 Buick motor. The telescopic power shafts 34--35 and 03-84. permit transmission of power between the power shafts and their respective elements irrespective of the angle at which the digging shaft may be set, particularly in view of the universal joints at each end of both power shafts.

While the preferred form of this invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that this invention is not restricted to the par ticular details of construction and arrangement hereinbefore set forth, but that changes in such details and construction may be made within the scope of what is hereinafter claimed without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having thus set forth and described the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

l. A portable hole digger including a vehicle having a conventional power motor and a conventional forward and reverse speed transmision mounted thereon, a power shaft extending from such motor transmission, a digger shaft and anger, means for universally angling said digger shaft in both transverse and fore and aft directions; comprising a digger shaft housing and a transverse housing secured thereto and forming an inverted T therewith, said transverse housing including a central hub housing section through which said digger shaft within said digger shaft housing slidably extends, transversely extending housing sections integral therewith, each of said transversely extending housing sections extending outwardly from opposite sides of said hub housing section, means for rotatably mounting said transverse housing sections comprising a collar rotatably mounted at each end of said housing sections, a journal pin mounted on one collar and extending radially therefrom, bearing means on said vehicle in which said pin is journaled, means mounted on said vehicle for raising and lowering the opposite end of said transverse housing sections about said journal pin for transversely angling said digger shaft housing and digger shaft, said latter means being operatively connected to the other of said collars, said collars permitting rotation of said di ger shaft housing and digger shaft in a fore and aft direction, and means for pivoting said digger shaft housing and digger shaft fore and aft within said collars.

2. A portable hole digger including a vehicle having a conventional power motor and conventional forward and reverse speed transmission mounted thereon, a power shaft extending from such motor transmission, a digger shaft and auger, and means for universally angling said digger shaft in both transverse and fore and aft directions comprising, a digger shaft housing and a transverse housing secured thereto and forming an inverted T therewith, said transverse housing including a central hub housing section through which said digger shaft Within said digger shaft housing slidably extends and transversely extending housing sections integral therewith, each section extending outwardly from opposite sides of said hub housing section, means for rotatably mounting said transverse housing comprising a collar rotatably mounted at each end, a journal pin mounted on one collar and extending radially therefrom, bearing means on said vehicle in which said pin is journaled, means mounted on said vehicle for raising or lowering the opposite end of said transverse housing about said journal pin for transverse angling of said digger housing-and digger shaft, said latter means.

being operatively connected to the other of said collars, said collars permitting rotation of said digger housing and shaft in a fore and aft direction, means for pivoting said digger shaft housing and digger shaft fore and aft within said collars, means for transmitting power to said digger shaft in any angular position to rotate said shaft, and means to positively raise or lower said shaft or to permit said shaft to descend under its own weight.

3. A portable hole digger including a vehicle having a conventional power motor and conventional forward and reverse speed transmission mounted thereon, a power shaft extending from such motor transmission, a digger shaft and anger, and means for universally angling said digger shaft in both transverse and fore and aft directions comprising, a digger shaft housing and a transverse housing secured thereto and forming an inverted T therewith, said transverse housing including a central hub housing section through which said digger shaft within said digger shaft housing slidably extends and transversely extending housing sections integral therewith, each section extending outwardly from opposite sides of said hub housing section, means for rotatably mounting said transverse housing comprising a collar rotatably mounted at each end, a journal pin mounted on one collar and extending radially therefrom, bearing means on said vehicle in which said pin is journaled, a threaded jacl: screw mounted on said vehicle on the opposite side, nut means carried by the other transverse housing collar and threaded on said jack screw, said jack screw and nut serving to raise or lower said transverse angling of said digger housing and digger shaft, said collars permitting rotation of said digger housing and shaft in a fore and aft direction, and means for adjusting the fore and aft angle of said digger housing and digger shaft comprising a telescopic threaded shaft and sleeve, a manually operable nut journaled on said sleeve and threaded on said shaft, one end of said shaft and sleeve being pivotally mounted on said digger shaft housing and the other end on the vehicle.

4. A portable hole digger including a vehicle having a conventional power motor and conventional forward and reverse speed transmission mounted thereon, a power shaft extending from such motor transmission, a digger shaft and auger, and means for universally angling said digger shaft in both transverse and fore and aft directions comprising, a digger shaft housing and a transverse housing secured thereto and forming an inverted T therewith, s id trans verse housing including a central hub housing section through which said digger shaft within digger shaft housing slidably extends and transversely extending housing sections integral therewith, each section extending outwardly from opposite sides of said hub housing section, means for rotatably mounting said transverse housing comprising a collar rotatably mounted at each end, a journal pin mounted on one collar and extending radially therefrom, bearing means on said vehicle in which said pin is journaled, a threaded jack screw mounted on said vehicle on the opposite side, nut means carried by the othertransverse housing collar and threaded on said jack screw, said jack screw and nut serving to raise or lower said transverse housing about said journal pin for transverse angling of said digger housing and digger shaft, said collars permitting rotation of said digger housing and shaft in a fore and aft direction, means for adjusting the fore and aft angle of said digger housing and digger shaft comprising a telescopic threaded shaft and sleeve, and a manually operable nut journaled on said sleeve and threaded on said shaft, one end of said shaft and sleeve being pivotally mounted on said digger shaft housing the other end on the vehicle, and means for transmitting power to said digger shaft in any angular position to rotate said shaft, and means to positively raise or lower said shaft or to permit said shaft to descend under its own weight.

5. A portable hole digger including a vehicle having a conventional power motor and conventional forward and reverse speed transmission mounted thereon, a power shaft extending from such motor transmission, a digger shaft and anger, and means for universally angling said digger shaft in both transverse and fore and aft directions comprising, a digger shaft housing and a transverse housing secured thereto and forming an inverted T therewith, said transverse housing including a central hub housing section through which said digger shaft within said digger shaft housing slidably extends and transversely extending housing sections integral therewith, each section extending outwardly from opposite sides of said hub housing section, means for rotatably mounting said transverse housing comprising a collar rotatably mounted at each end, a journal pin mounted on one collar and extending radially therefrom, bearing means on said vehicle in which said pin is journaled, means for raising or lowering the opposite end of said transverse housing about said journal pin for transverse angling of said digger housing and digger shaft, the latter means comprising a threaded jack screw mounted on said vehicle at said opposite end of said housing, nut means threaded on said jack screw and operatively connected to the other transverse housing collar, said collars permitting rotation of said digger housing and shaft in a fore and aft direction, means for pivoting said digger shaft fore and aft within said collars, and means for transmitting power to said digger shaft in any angular position to rotate said shaft, and to positively raise or lower said shaft or to permit said shaft to descend under its own weight, said power transmitting means including said power shaft from said power motor transmission, a clutch controlled telescopic power shaft universally jointed thereto, a hub in said hub housing slidably keyed to said digging shaft, gear means universally connected to said clutch controlled telescopic power shaft for rotating said hub, a power takeoff from said power shaft, a second telescopic power shaft universally jointed to said power take-off, a transverse shaft, means to mount the latter shaft for rotation parallel to said transverse housing, gear means universally connected to said second telescopic power shaft for rotating said transverse shaft, a sprocket journaled on said transverse shaft, a forward, neutral, and reverse clutch means connecting said sprocket to said transverse shaft, a second sprocket adjustablymounted at the top of said digging shaft housing, a sprocket chain about 'both said sprockets, and means connecting said chain to said digging shaft at the top thereof for holding, raising or lowering said digging shaft but per mitting rotation thereof.

6. A portable hole digger including a vehicle having a conventional power motor and conventional forward and reverse speed transmission mounted thereon, a power shaft extending from such motor transmission, a digger shaft and auger, and means for universally angling said digger shaft in both transverse and fore and aftdirections comprising, a digger shaft housing and a transverse housing secured thereto and forming an inverted T therewith, said transverse housing including a central hub housing section through which said digger shaft within said digger shaft housing slidably extends and transversely extending housing sections integral therewith, each section extending outwardly from opposite sides of said hub housing section, means for mounting said transverse housing comprising a collar rotatably mounted at each end, a journal pin mounted on one collar and extending radially therefrom, bearing means on said vehicle in which said pin is journaled, a threaded jack screw mounted on said vehicle on the opposite side, nut means carried by the other transverse housing collar and threaded on said jack screw, said jack screw and nut serving to raise or lower said transverse housing about said journal pin for transverse angling of said digger housing and digger shaft, said collars permitting rotation of said digger housing and shaft in a fore and aft direction, means for adjusting the fore and aft angle of said digger housing and digger shaft comprising a telescopic 30 angular position to rotate said shaft, and to positively raise or lower said shaft or to permit said shaft to descend under its own weight, said power transmitting means including said power shaft from said power motor transmission, a clutch controlled telescopic power shaft universally jointed thereto, a hub in said hub housing slidably keyed to said digging shaft, gear means universally connected to said clutch controlled telescopic power shaft for rotating said hub, a power take-off from said power shaft, a second telescopic power shaft universally jointed to said power take-off, a transverse shaft mounted for rotation parallel to said transverse housing, gear means universally jointed to said second telescopic power shaft for rotating said transverse shaft, a sprocket journaled on said transverse shaft, a forward, neutral, and reverse clutch means connecting said sprocket to said transverse shaft, a second sprocket adjustably mounted at the top of said digging shaft housing, a sprocket chain about both said sprockets, and means connecting said chain to said digging shaft at the top thereof for holding, raising or lowering said digging shaft but permitting rotation thereof.

GERALD H. LOOCK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 934,102 Smith Sept. 14, 1909 1,486,247 Hunter Mar. 11, 1924 1,595,851 Brown Aug. 10, 1926 1,643,549 Doimelly et al Sept. 2'7, 1927 2,410,959 Brown Nov. 12, 1946

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